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Columbia Rural Electric Association, Inc. interconnection application

Columbia Rural Electric Association, Inc. is an electric cooperative serving 4,510 residential customers in Oregon, Washington (EIA-861, 2025). Gridpol files Columbia Rural Electric Association, Inc. interconnection applications for licensed installers – solar, storage and EV chargers – with single-line diagram and site plan, unlimited for $500 a month.

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Washington’s commission rule (WAC 480-108 (480-108-001 to -999)) does not bind electric cooperatives; Columbia Rural Electric Association, Inc. sets its own interconnection policy. We confirm its form on the first project. Consumer-owned utilities (PUDs, munis, coops) must offer net metering under RCW 80.60 (<=100 kW) and may adopt their own additional safety/power-quality/interconnection requirements by governing-body action after notice and comment (RCW 80.60.040(2)), but may not require extra standards, tests or liability insurance for compliant systems (80.60.040(3)).

Columbia Rural Electric Association, Inc. at a glance

Utility

Columbia Rural Elec Assn, Inc

Type

Electric cooperative

EIA utility ID

4041

Residential customers

4,510 (EIA-861, 2025)

Net-metered residential customers

206 (EIA-861, 2025)

Service territory

1 county in Oregon, 2 counties in Washington

Documents Columbia Rural Electric Association, Inc. asks for

  • Interconnection application formFilled in by us from your project data in the utility’s portal or on its form. Gridpol prepares this.
  • Single-line diagram (one-line)Drawn by us from your equipment data: modules, strings, inverter, battery, disconnects, point of interconnection, meter. Gridpol prepares this.
  • Site plan / site layoutDrawn by us from your roof sketch or photos: array, inverter, battery, disconnect, meter and main panel locations. Gridpol prepares this.
  • PV module spec sheetManufacturer data sheet of the modules.
  • Inverter spec sheetManufacturer data sheet (string inverter, microinverter or hybrid inverter).
  • Customer signatureThe account holder signs the application or authorization. We send the signature link.
  • Recent electric billName, service address, account and meter number must match the application.
  • Final inspection sign-offApproved electrical inspection from the authority having jurisdiction after installation.

Typical documents for US utilities – not yet verified for Columbia Rural Electric Association, Inc.. We confirm Columbia Rural Electric Association, Inc.’s exact list on the first project.

Washington interconnection rule

Commission

Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC)

Interconnection rule

WAC 480-108 (480-108-001 to -999) – Electric companies - Interconnection with electric generators · source

Applies to

UTC-regulated electrical companies (investor-owned: PSE, Avista, PacifiCorp) for customer generating facilities up to 20 MW; excludes PURPA QFs under WAC 480-107. Not binding on PUDs, munis, coops.

Application form

Utility-specific standard application form filed with the UTC and posted on the utility website, internet submission where practical (WAC 480-108-030(1)); must be signed and complete.

Timelines

Receipt notice 5 business days; completeness notice 10 business days; cure 15 business days (Tier 1-2) / 30 (Tier 3); Tier 1 decision 20 BD, Tier 2 30 BD; agreement with approval (Tier 1) or within 5 BD (Tier 2); operation within 1 year of approval (Tier 1-2). Completion requires certificate of completion with permits, electrical inspector approval; utility may witness test (WAC 480-108-050).

Fees

Nonrefundable application fee caps: $100 (0-25 kW), $500 (26-500 kW), $1,000 (>500 kW-20 MW) (WAC 480-108-030(5)).

Insurance

No additional insurance necessary for generating facility under 100 kW (WAC 480-108-040(14)); RCW 80.60.040(3) bars utilities from requiring net-metering customers to buy additional liability insurance.

External disconnect

Tier 1: lockable disconnect not required for certified inverter systems on self-contained meter <=320 A unless L&I requires it (WAC 480-108-020(2)(a)(iv)). Tier 2: visible lockable AC disconnect required but utility may waive for inverter-based systems.

Export compensation

NEM – RCW 80.60
Applies to all electric utilities incl. PUDs, munis, coops. Offer required until earlier of 2029-06-30 or 4% of utility's 1996 peak; utilities may then file successor tariff (UTC approval for IOUs).

Not bound by the rule

Consumer-owned utilities (PUDs, munis, coops) must offer net metering under RCW 80.60 (<=100 kW) and may adopt their own additional safety/power-quality/interconnection requirements by governing-body action after notice and comment (RCW 80.60.040(2)), but may not require extra standards, tests or liability insurance for compliant systems (80.60.040(3)).

Other utilities in Washington

All Washington utilities →

Gridpol Unlimited

$500 / month

Unlimited interconnection applications. 12-month agreement, signed online. The agreement starts the day you sign; first invoice right away, then monthly.

  • Unlimited interconnection applications
  • Single-line diagram and site plan for every application
  • Pre-submission check against the utility’s requirements
  • Homeowner e-signature link for the authorization
  • Filing in your utility portal accounts or by the utility’s method
  • Utility questions, corrections and resubmissions
  • Follow-up through approval, inspection and PTO
  • Customer list, exports, API and webhooks
Get started

Applications are typically submitted within 2 business days after complete documents. Utility review times are set by each utility.

Get started – $500/month unlimited